The war between the US and Russia now seems to be reaching space from Earth. Recently, the US made a highly shocking claim that Russia has deployed a satellite equipped with nuclear weapons in space. This news has caused a stir around the world.
However, to lift the curtain on this mystery, scientists at America's prestigious institution, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), have developed a foolproof technology that will track down any nuclear weapon hidden in space.
What is Russia's 'Cosmos 2553' and why the suspicion?
At the center of this entire controversy is a mysterious Russian satellite called Cosmos 2553.
Launch: It was launched in February 2022.
Dangerous Orbit: This satellite is orbiting close to Earth's 'Van Allen Belt', where radiation levels are extremely high.
US Claim: America believes that Russia is developing nuclear attack capabilities in space through this satellite. (However, Russia has outright rejected all these allegations.)
How will MIT's 'Spy Satellite' work?
Until now, it was almost impossible to find out whether a satellite present in space contained a nuclear weapon or not. But MIT scientist Areg Danagoulian has found a breakthrough for this:
Identification of Neutron Signals: MIT will send a small 'Inspector Satellite'. If any suspicious satellite contains a thermonuclear weapon, this small satellite will easily detect the specific 'neutron signals' emitted from it.
Detection from 4 Kilometers Away: The most remarkable feature is that this inspector satellite can detect nuclear weapons from a distance of about 4 kilometers.
Results in Just a Few Hours: For precise information, this spy satellite will have to stay near the suspicious satellite for about a week. But if it is sent closer or multiple satellites are used simultaneously, this task can be completed in just a few hours.
Why the fear of a nuclear attack in space?
To keep space free from weapons, the 'Outer Space Treaty' was established in 1967, signed by 118 countries including Russia and the US. Under this treaty, taking nuclear weapons into space is completely banned.
What is the danger?
Today, thousands of satellites for internet, weather, mapping, and navigation (GPS) are present in our Earth's orbit. If a nuclear explosion occurs in space, the terrifying radiation emitted from it will destroy satellites across the globe, which could bring the communication and technological infrastructure on Earth to a complete standstill.
The Way Forward and Challenges
While MIT's technology is brilliant, the biggest challenge in its application is diplomatic. Approaching within 4 kilometers of another country's satellite is a highly sensitive move from a security perspective, which could even be perceived as an attack.
Given this, experts believe that the use of this new space weapon surveillance technology should only be done in accordance with international rules and the mutual consent of nations, so that the world can be saved from a new 'space war'.
